County proposes taking over tourism functions

The county’s proposed 2010-11 budget calls for the county-funded tourism and economic development functions at Plumas Corporation to be brought under the county’s direct supervision, with $25,000 in anticipated transition costs.
The working plan would involve taking $75,000 from the $230,000 usually allocated to Plumas Corporation and creating a request-based system where groups could make proposals for events or other efforts that might stimulate the economy.
County Administrative Officer Jack Ingstad’s budget cover letter indicated moving these functions back to the county “significantly reduces overhead and administrative costs.”
The letter explains that Ingstad would supervise these areas, with the county GIS department taking over the tourism website.
The budget committee suggested that the chambers of commerce and Plumas Arts receive one percent reductions, like many county departments, while the county supervisors’ recreation/community funds (formerly $5,000 per board member) would be eliminated completely.
In a phone interview, Ingstad said Fair Manager John Steffanic volunteered to take a large cut from $95,467 in county contributions to $23,000, while the Quincy Library Group offered to drop from $37,000 to $28,000 for its legal fund.
The budget committee recommends taking both of those offers.